Public transport safety in four emerging nations. Paper presented at the 5th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Control, New Delhi, India, 5-8 March 2000.

Countries of the developing world are characterised by rapid urbanisation, high growth rates in traffic and congestion and decreasing regulation of public transport. Because the majority of the developing world's inhabitants are dependent on public transport services for their mobility needs, the need for safe, effective and efficient public transport is essential to ensure adequate and affordable accessibility and the continuing sustainable development of livelihoods in the rural and urban sectors. The paper highlights the operational environment of the public transport sector in Nepal, India, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, the extent of accidents involving public transport vehicles and their likely causes. Finally, recommendations are made to reduce both the severity and number of public transport accidents. (A)